Bambar Baini
Encyclopedia
Bambar Baini is the regional incarnation of the Devi (Mother Goddess) closely identified with Amba
: Her name means "powerful goddess of shakti riding the lion," and she resides on a hill located at town of Laundi
Hindu temple of Sri Devi Bambar Baini ji is located on top of the hill around 1 km from the heart of the town of Laundi. Laundi is situated in Chhatarpur district
of Madhya Pradesh
in India
.Devotees and visitors reach to the temple after climbing approximately 450 steps to the top of the hill. Thousands of devotees throng the temple all round the year.It is estimated that this place of worship may be in existence from 17-18th century.In front of the temple,a picturesque pond can be seen down the hill. It is an important religious place of the Bundelkhand
.
The Bambar Baini temple itself is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the local area, attracting thousands of visitors each year, particularly for Navaratri Mela in April and October every year , which are the days of annual fasting by hindus.
. Mahoba
, Khajuraho
and Harpalpur
Railway Stations are located nearby, linking it to some major towns and cities of India.
Those days the hill was full of wild animals like lions,tigers etc. Therefore localites believe that the devi was duly named as 'Babbar Vahini' i.e. riding the lion, which later with the passage of time became 'Bambar baini'.The people of the town then decided to build a temple on the rock itself.The long stair case came up later and work for improvement in temple and the access still continues till date.
It is difficult to take photographs of original inscription because of inadequate light in the hole in the rock.
in Chhatarpur district
in the India
n state
of Madhya Pradesh
. It is about 55 km away from Chhatarpur
and 37 km. from the temple town Khajuraho
. The Urmil and Kail Rivers flow through this town. The Civil Airport Khajuraho
and Harpalpur and Khajuraho Railway Station located nearby, links it to some major towns and cities of Madhya Pradesh
. It also has a Civil Court, a Sub Jail and a Police Station too.
Local tradition reveals that the warriors Alha
and Udal, who had war with Prithvi Raj Chauhan, are associated with these places called Laundi and Mahoba
. Both the brothers were very strong followers of Sharda Devi
. It is said that Alha
penanced for 12 years and got the amaratva with the blessings of Sharda Devi
.
, Ken Gharial Sanctuary, Pandava Waterfall, and Shilpgram, which are easily accessible from Laundi.
Amba
Amba was the eldest daughter of King of Kashi in the Hindu epic of the Mahābhārata. Along with her sisters Ambika and Ambalika, she was taken by force by Bhishma from their Swayamvara...
: Her name means "powerful goddess of shakti riding the lion," and she resides on a hill located at town of Laundi
Laundi
Laundi which has been replaced by "Lavkushnagar",is a town/city/tehshil and a nagar panchayat in Chhatarpur district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is about 55 km away from Chhatarpur and 37 km. from the temple town Khajuraho. The Urmil and Kail Rivers flow through this town...
Hindu temple of Sri Devi Bambar Baini ji is located on top of the hill around 1 km from the heart of the town of Laundi. Laundi is situated in Chhatarpur district
Chhatarpur District
Chhatarpur District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The town of Chhatarpur is the district headquarters.-Geography:Chattarpur district located at 24.06° & 25.20°N 78.59° & 80.26° E respectively...
of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.Devotees and visitors reach to the temple after climbing approximately 450 steps to the top of the hill. Thousands of devotees throng the temple all round the year.It is estimated that this place of worship may be in existence from 17-18th century.In front of the temple,a picturesque pond can be seen down the hill. It is an important religious place of the Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand anciently known as Chedi Kingdom is a geographic region of central India...
.
The Bambar Baini temple itself is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the local area, attracting thousands of visitors each year, particularly for Navaratri Mela in April and October every year , which are the days of annual fasting by hindus.
Transport
The nearest civil airport is KhajurahoKhajuraho
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho , a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about southeast of New Delhi, are one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for...
. Mahoba
Mahoba
Mahoba is a city and Mahoba District of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, in the Bundelkhand region. Mahoba is known for its closeness to Khajuraho, Laundi and other historic places like Kulpahar, Charkhari, Kalinjar, Orchha, and Jhansi...
, Khajuraho
Khajuraho
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho , a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about southeast of New Delhi, are one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for...
and Harpalpur
Harpalpur
Harpalpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Chhatarpur District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-Demographics: India census, Harpalpur had a population of 15,410. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Harpalpur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national...
Railway Stations are located nearby, linking it to some major towns and cities of India.
Origins
One of the most persistent mythologies, concerning the origin of worship at the site, is associated with the dream that was experienced by a local priest. It is said that the devi came to priest in his dream and told him about her whereabouts on the top of the hill. Next morning, when the priest and some other senior responsible citizens of Laundi went up the hill braving their life, they found the inscription of devi in a small hole on a big rock covering a large cave.Those days the hill was full of wild animals like lions,tigers etc. Therefore localites believe that the devi was duly named as 'Babbar Vahini' i.e. riding the lion, which later with the passage of time became 'Bambar baini'.The people of the town then decided to build a temple on the rock itself.The long stair case came up later and work for improvement in temple and the access still continues till date.
Hymn
Bambar Baini is mentioned in many bundeli folk songs,folk lores and folk tales.
Sumiro pratidin babmbar baini|
Sada sukh ki daini ||
Sumarat Hames-Katat kales|
Raakhat hai laaj-kar siddh kaj|
Hai sajan saaj-Jag ko taare|
Jag ko tarat hai sada haran amangal aini|
Anand mangal det hai sada sukh ki daini lal|
Shobah det shikar ke upar|
Daya drisht chitaini||
"Pray to Bambar Beni everyday,who is giving us everything everyday.You will have better life if you pray always.It will protect your honour.It will take you through various challenges.It will take you through the world.It will remove evils. it will give you all material and spiritual pleasures. It is graced on the top of hill, looking and showering upon us all her kindness."
Iconography
Bambar Baini is inscripted in a hole on a big rock as a young petite goddess. She is ornately dressed, typically wearing a sari and opulent jewelry.It is difficult to take photographs of original inscription because of inadequate light in the hole in the rock.
About Laundi City
Laundi (Hindi:लौंड़ी) is a town/city and a nagar panchayatNagar Panchayat
A nagar palika or nagar panchayat is a form of an urban political unit in India comparable to a municipality.An urban centre with more than 30,000 and less than 100,000 inhabitants is classified as a nagar panchayat....
in Chhatarpur district
Chhatarpur District
Chhatarpur District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The town of Chhatarpur is the district headquarters.-Geography:Chattarpur district located at 24.06° & 25.20°N 78.59° & 80.26° E respectively...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
. It is about 55 km away from Chhatarpur
Chhatarpur
Chhatarpur is a city and a municipality in Chhatarpur district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Chhatarpur District.- History :...
and 37 km. from the temple town Khajuraho
Khajuraho
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho , a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about southeast of New Delhi, are one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for...
. The Urmil and Kail Rivers flow through this town. The Civil Airport Khajuraho
Khajuraho
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho , a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about southeast of New Delhi, are one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for...
and Harpalpur and Khajuraho Railway Station located nearby, links it to some major towns and cities of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
. It also has a Civil Court, a Sub Jail and a Police Station too.
Local tradition reveals that the warriors Alha
Alha
Alha of Banaphar Rajput clan was the famous general of great Chandela King Paramdidev or Parmal who fought Prithviraj Chauhan in 1182 CE.Alha's mother Devaki was Ahir...
and Udal, who had war with Prithvi Raj Chauhan, are associated with these places called Laundi and Mahoba
Mahoba
Mahoba is a city and Mahoba District of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, in the Bundelkhand region. Mahoba is known for its closeness to Khajuraho, Laundi and other historic places like Kulpahar, Charkhari, Kalinjar, Orchha, and Jhansi...
. Both the brothers were very strong followers of Sharda Devi
Saraswati
In Hinduism Saraswati , is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. She is the consort of Brahma, also revered as His Shakti....
. It is said that Alha
Alha
Alha of Banaphar Rajput clan was the famous general of great Chandela King Paramdidev or Parmal who fought Prithviraj Chauhan in 1182 CE.Alha's mother Devaki was Ahir...
penanced for 12 years and got the amaratva with the blessings of Sharda Devi
Saraswati
In Hinduism Saraswati , is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. She is the consort of Brahma, also revered as His Shakti....
.
Other places to visit
Major tourist attractions in the vicinity include KhajurahoKhajuraho
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho , a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about southeast of New Delhi, are one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for...
, Ken Gharial Sanctuary, Pandava Waterfall, and Shilpgram, which are easily accessible from Laundi.
Further reading
- Lala Ramcharan Lal(1880-1942),February 2000.Ram Ram Bhaj Lev (Bundeli Lok Bhajan) , Published by- Brij Bhushan Khare,Neeraj Prakashan, Chhatarpur.
- David Kinsley',Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions, (ISBN 81-208-0379-5)